As the New Orleans Saints prepare to host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, an opportunity awaits for a fresh path forward for the team.
Optimism is ticking with injured players either returning or making their debut in sight over the next free weeks. The locker room is rejuvenated with new approaches and staff members implementing changes coming off of a bye week of self-inspection.
All the while, playing in a division that refuses to separate.
The Saints (2-5) have an opportunity to turn things around as they return home to New Orleans.
“We don’t have time to wait anymore,” said STAR/slot defender Jonas Sanker, “This game’s gonna be a big statement game for us, showing how we’ve improved and how we’ve handled this adversity.”
A statement win over a Browns team (5-3) could propel the Saints to tying for the top of the division, and playing for the outright first place spot in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers.
With increasing confidence growing around the availability of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and running back Travis Etienne Jr. over the coming weeks, the team’s offense is primed to surge.
Meanwhile, a renewed focus on the defensive line and defending the run game could finally put the defense on a path to improvement.
If the Saints can check those boxes, and begin to build confidence against the Browns at home (which would be the team’s first home win of the season), things can shift very quickly in their favor to gain momentum in the division.
